Inside The Bills

Florida State QB Christian Ponder has been steadily building momentum for his draft stock since his solid performance in the Senior Bowl, and his pro day on Wednesday did nothing to slow it down.

Ponder, who threw to Florida State teammates and retired NFL wideout Isaac Bruce, tossed about 60 passes according to the Orlando Sentinel and was sharp on the whole. NFL scouts on hand requested to see some deep balls to better gauge Ponder’s arm strength coming off his injury-plagued senior season. Ponder said they had downfield passes already scripted in anticipation of that request.

“I think they just really wanted to see how the ball was coming out today, and especially on the deep balls,” Ponder told the Orlando Sentinel. “And that’s what they specifically asked to see before I ever threw a ball – they wanted to see if we were going to throw some deep balls. And I thought I threw them pretty well.”

He said he has nine or 10 private workouts scheduled with NFL clubs between now and the draft, but refused to mention any by name.

Ponder is no doubt hoping his experience in a pro-style offense, his natural leadership skills and on field intelligence will convince NFL decision makers to look past the injuries he sustained in 2010. He’s been forecast as high as an early second-round pick.